Australian Lawyer specialising in the field of employment relations
Providing representation since 2005
Employment Relations Specialist
My experience and specialities include:
Managing workplace relations issues including industrial disputes
Enterprise bargaining and certified agreement negotiations
Representation and advocacy in workplace relations tribunals
Managing employee misconduct and poor performance
Advising on strategic workforce change and redeployment.
Advocacy
Prior experience in the Fair Work Commission and the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission includes representation of clients in the mining and energy industry and within local government on behalf of the Local Government Association of Queensland. In addition to conciliation cases, my involvement in arbitration includes:
CFMEU Queensland v Brisbane City Council [2022] QIRC 339
Sedgman v MacMahon Holdings Limited [2014] FWC 1025
Pennell v CSA Mine Glencore [2014] FWC 1193
Batemsberski v Cape Flattery Silica Mines [2014] FWC 2219
Dent v Halliburton Australia Pty Ltd [2014] FWC 2936
Employment Law
Admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2020. Holds a Master of Laws from the Queensland University of Technology, majoring in Commercial Law. Holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Southern Queensland and Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the College of Law.
Negotiation & Mediation
Regular attendance at conciliation conferences representing employers since 2005. Previously accredited as a mediator under the National Mediator Accreditation Standards in 2009 with the Australian Mediation Association. Has successfully negotiated certified / enterprise bargaining agreements including greenfields agreements for major projects.
Remuneration & Benefits
Remuneration structures, benchmarking and job evaluation using Mercer, Argent Group and Korn Ferry. Position Description reviews. Attained accreditation using Mercer CED job evaluation in 2021. Holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Queensland.
Human Resources
Drafting and implementation of policies and procedures, dispute resolution case management, workplace investigations and contract preparation, including deeds of settlement and release. Holds a Bachelor of Business Management majoring in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from the University of Queensland.
Workplace Surveys
Undertaking regular culture pulse surveys
360' feedback
Exit surveys prior to separation
Incentive, remuneration and benefits surveys
Payroll Services
Review and approval of fortnightly pays using SAP
Introduction of benefits reward systems
Human Resources and Payroll (HRP) software use
Workplace Health & Safety
Management of WHS cases including Workers' Compensation
Advice on mandatory vaccinations and random drug and alcohol testing
Implementation of Drug and Alcohol Policies and Procedures
Trainees & Apprentices
Review of required competencies
Termination of tripartite arrangements
Reinstatement applications for substantive role
About me
I'm a qualified Australian Lawyer, specialising in employment law. My career began as a student working in Barristers Chambers during the school holidays.
Fortunately at university I was accepted as a work experience student in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission in 2003 which set my career course.
Following graduation from the University of Queensland with a dual degree in 2005 I worked for the Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland.
At this time significant change took place and I was involved in facilitating workshops and roadshows to teach businesses about workplace relations reform.
After about four years I decided to try my hand overseas, and worked for Vodafone GmbH for the HR team in Duesseldorf, improving my German language skills.
Upon returning to Australia I worked in the mining industry for five years, advocating in the Fair Work Commission as an IR consultant, and as an ER/IR Manager in Perth in the energy retail sector.
I served on the Management Committees of the Industrial Relations Societies of Queensland (IRSQ) and Western Australia (IRSWA) and was an IRSQ Vice President.
I'm known for my innovative, solution-focused approach and attention to detail. I have worked in local government since 2016, appearing regularly in the QIRC.
Other Experience
Content Creator
Creating & maintaining blogs for small businesses.
Editor
IR Advocate, IRSQ and IRSWA Newsletter
LGMA Australasian Management Challenge Award
Local Government Management Award, Team Meanjin (Brisbane)
Mentor for LGMA Teams
Trainer / Facilitator
Completed Cert IV TAE Training and Assessment
Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association
I'd love to talk shop!
Let's connect
Curriculum Vitae
LLM, GDLP, BEcon, BBusMan (HR/IR)
• Guide, educate, and provide expert advice on a broad range of employment and industrial relations matters
• Lead complex consultation and negotiations relating to employee and industrial relations matters including enterprise bargaining negotiations
• Lead complex workplace investigations
• Undertake investigations into workplace grievances
• Interpret, and provide expert advice on a wide range of employee related matters
• Act as a representative in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission and other regulatory bodies
• Lead the development of policies and procedures to ensure compliance with relevant legislation
• Promote contemporary best practice trends
• Deliver comprehensive training, coaching and support
• Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and unions to deliver effective outcomes.
Useful Links
AREEA - https://www.areea.com.au/
IRSQ - https://www.irsq.asn.au/About-IRSQ
IRSWA - https://industrialrelations.com.au/
LGMA - https://www.lgmaqld.org.au/AMC
LGAQ - https://www.lgaq.asn.au/Home
Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/caraspence